Respawn: Including AI, Up to 48 Fighters in a Titanfall Match

Suffice it to say, the Internet was not happy. So much so that Respawn opted to perform a little triage on the gaping PR wound.

In an interview with Polygon, lead designer Justin Hendry explained the 6v6 decision in detail, pointing out that, with up to 12 AI players per side as well as six mechs in guard or follow mode per side, there can actually be as many as 48 combatants on a map at once (12 real people, 24 AI pilots, and 12 mechs in AI mode).

“It’s been this number for months,” Hendry told Polygon. “We are pretty avid players in the studio. People speak their minds and we listen and make changes. This is the number that felt best. The game is essentially built to be six on six.”

Why so many AI fighters? Why not replace them with real people and up the player count? Hendry said Respawn wants anyone to be able to jump into a Titanfall match and not feel like a n0ob. The AI pilots are much easier to kill and they also allow all players to build the experience points required in a match to call in a Titan.

“I’ve watched people come in and play the game that just don’t have the twitch reflexes,” Hendry said. “They’ll get in the Titan and have fun.”

Personally, I’m a shooter fan who cites Medal of Honor: Allied Assault and the first Call of Duty among my all-time favorites. I’m concerned about the possible ramifications of so many AI fighters, but those genre-defining games (not to mention CoD4) were created by the same folks who are now making Titanfall, so if they say 6v6 is the sweet spot, I’ll give them the benefit of the doubt. They’ve earned it and then some.

Join the Conversation

* required field

By submitting a comment here you grant GameFront a perpetual license to reproduce your words and name/web site in attribution. Inappropriate or irrelevant comments will be removed at an admin's discretion.

No Comments on Respawn: Including AI, Up to 48 Fighters in a Titanfall Match

The best serving of video game culture, since 2001. Whether you're looking for news, reviews, walkthroughs, or the biggest collection of PC gaming files on the planet, Game Front has you covered. We also make no illusions about gaming: it's supposed to be fun. Browse gaming galleries, humor lists, and honest, short-form reporting. Game on!